Graham Reid | | <1 min read
First Acquaintance
Last heard on record together in 1994 (the album Acoustic Spirit), Raglan's harmonica player Skandera and guitarist Maybee here bring their considerable skills and years to a collection of funky blues, country blues, old folk and gospel (Jesus on the Mainline) from the likes of Johnny Cash, Little Walter (his Juke a showcase for the exceptional playing of Skandera), JJ Cale, Mark Knopfler, Chuck Berry and others, alongside originals which slip easily alongside them.
They have equally excellent fellow travelers on piano and Hammond organ (Liam Ryan), bass (Sid Limbert or Ashley Knox) and drums (Fred Limbert aka Fred'Mo), and among the standouts are the partytime Western Swing of Turn Me Loose and Let Me Swing (with guitarist Gary Verberne), Maybee's bluesy tribute to Les Paul on Lester's Blues with Ryan on Hammond, and the shapeshifting original P&D Blues.
Lotta talent and pleasure to be had across these 21 tracks.
I imagine they are booked solid over summer.
.
You can hear and buy this album at bandcamp here
post a comment